SharePoint Usability Tip: Add New XXX Links and Edit Dropdown boxes

Note: This tip is more geared for Portals, as the general target audiences for portal sites are large and are Readers only. WSS sites should keep Add New and Edit functions (if appropriate) since their purpose is collaboration.

The Add New XXX links appears on all lists and libraries by default and can be very confusing and misleading for users without rights to actually add items.

A quick way to hide that link from your site home and/or main area pages is to edit the web part properties in the web part tool pane and set Toolbar Type to No Toolbar.

This will remove the Add New XXX link from the web part on the main page view. You can still add new items by selecting to go to the expanded view of that web part (click the title in the web part title bar) and use the New Item button.

Another frustrating aspect for users of the home page view of a list or library is the Edit dropdown box that appears when you mouse over an item. This can be removed by using Edit the current view in the web part tool pane. Make sure that the column that displays the edit menu along with the item is not used, and that the Edit (link to edit item) is not being used.

You can instead show just the Edit (link to edit item) column on the far right of your list or library in the expanded view (click the title in the web part title bar).